The 75th anniversary of the battle of Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea in World War II is a time of special reflection for the Toowoomba Region. We honour the deeds and sacrifices of these men, along with all other men and women who served, or continue to serve, for our country.
T 131 872 I W www.tr.qld.gov.au I E info@tr.qld.gov.au
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While the ranks of the Battalion from 1942 have all but faded into history, their brave endeavours will be remembered forever. Lest we forget.
SPECIAL FEATURE - BATTLE OF MILNE BAY
Front cover Photos from the front cover are courtesy of the Australian War Memorial and Lex Winten collection. Top: A Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun position, A Troop, 2/9th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, on the main fighter runway at Gili Gili airfield. ID P026630 courtesy Australian War Memorial Middle: At Salamua Pte L C Mahon of 2/3 Independent Company is ready for a commando assault. Photographed by Damien Parer. Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial ID P00928.005.
OUR SERVICEMEN: Australian troops plough through the mud at Milne Bay shortly after the unsuccessful Japanese invasion attempt. Photo ID: AWM013339. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
Bottom: Kittyhawk Pilots at Milne Bay (from left) Fl Lt Lex Winten, Squadron Leader Les Jackson, Fl Lt John Piper and FO Peter Masters. From Lex Winten collection.
REMEMBERING WAR HISTORY When we think of WW2 we tend to think “older generations”. But the Australian Defence Force personnel who were sent away from their families to fight for freedom were mostly young men and women. They were officially aged 18 and over but there were many cheeky 16 and 17-year-olds among them too. The brave young Australians of 75 years ago didn’t have much choice in where they were sent during World War Two and for many it was a matter of luck whether they came home or not. But they had one thing in common: a fierce loyalty to protect Australia and its future — and that means they were loyal to you, our current generations and to your children and grandchildren. It’s heartbreaking to walk through war cemeteries and see the lost potential of our bravest, brightest and best: so many young lives that could have had great futures in art, theatre, music, sport, health, science or leadership.
How do we honour the gift from these beautiful young souls? I believe we all have a duty to live good lives and give back to the community where we can. We have to be the best we can be because many young Aussies died to give us that opportunity. Let’s join together, young and old, and promise never to forget them.
References and sincere thanks
■ President of the Milne Bay Military Museum Marian Jones ■ Shane Winten and Helene Crichton, whose father Lex Winten has given so many incredible photos ■ The Australian War Memorial in Canberra ■ Clive Baker and Greg Knight for the book Milne Bay 1942 Australian Military History Publications available for purchase at Milne Bay Military Museum PLEASE NOTE: This feature is intended to commemorate The Battle of Milne Bay in a way that interests younger generations. It is important to engage their interest so that the sacrifices made at Milne Bay are not forgotten.
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LOCAL COMMUNITY: Clifford Park Special School took part in Milne Bay Military Challenge in March 2017 (front) - Matthew Berry and Aiden Sternbeck. (back from left) teacher Jeremy Cox, Vanessa Golsby, Dean Woodard, Liam Bins, Lachlan Pisters, Janaya Poscoe, Damien Weigh, Emily Cooney and teacher Margaret Scheider-Grall. PHOTO: NEV MADSEN
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‘Vestigia Nulla Retresum’, meaning ‘never a backward step’ was the motto of the 25th Battalion The Darling Downs Regiment. The Milne Bay Military Challenge is a team endurance event through the National Parks of Toowoomba raising money for Toowoomba-based charities. It honours the hallowed memory of the many men who voluntarily enlisted from across the Darling Downs, and who trained at, or passed through Toowoomba to become members of the 25th Battalion. The first challenge was held in March 2017 and according to organiser Tressa Lindenberg the event will be even bigger in 2018. “The challenge has helped raise awareness around what happened at Milne Bay and what it means to the people of the Darling Downs,” she said. “We have already had a lot of enquiry about the 2018 event and it’s going to be great.” The event has teams of two, three or four people taking on either the 15-kilometre or the 30km course. There is a time limit for completing the course and several checkpoints along the way.
The challenge features a hotly contested school category and in 2017 Clifton State High School came first with TACAPS winning the memorial trophy. The 2018 Milne Bay Military Challenge will be held on Sunday, March 18. You can register now by contacting Tressa on 0402 211 339. Visit www.milnebaymilitarychallenge.com for more information.
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SPECIAL FEATURE - BATTLE OF MILNE BAY
THE UNFORGETTABLE President of the Milne Bay Military Museum Marian Jones tells her version of the historic event This was the first time Australians fought in The challenges Australian territory in defence of Australian land. The weather — according to ‘Milne Bay 1942: The two Brigades at Milne Bay under the The Story of Milne Force’ by Baker and Knight, command of renowned General Clowes were: published by Australian Military History ■ Infantry - 7th Brigade Publications, the weather was shocking ■ 9th Battalion (Militia) throughout August and September with a ■ 25th Battalion (Militia) choice of showers, heavy rain, thick fog, ■ 61st Battalion (Militia) downpours and flooding every day. There was ■ Infantry - 18th Brigade literally only one or two mornings of sunshine. ■ 2/9th Battalion ■ 2/10th Battalion ■ 2/12th Battalion totally exhausted, men from the 2/10 The Japanese landed Battalion (a South Australian Battalion) at Milne Bay on the night went through the 61st and again they of the 25th August 1942. tried to hold the Japanese but couldn’t They were tall, big — they actually suffered more casualties strapping men, only the elite could be in Japan’s History states that this than the 61st Battalion. Eventually they were forced back to Imperial Marines and was the first time in over the number three airstrip and this is they averaged 5ft 10in in 300 years that the where the stand was taken. height. Japanese Imperial The Japanese tried three times to Their objective was to Marines had been cross and capture the number three quickly capture the number one and defeated on land and at airstrip and each time they were forced number three airstrips the time of the surrender back, the third time they had to retreat to where they had landed. that had been built by there were 90,000 back The men from the 25th Battalion took the allies. Japanese soldiers and the main brunt of this battle as they The first to encounter sailors at Rabaul (The were defending on the bottom, eastern the Japanese was the 61st Battalion on the east Japanese Imperial side of the number three airstrip, with side of KB Mission. Headquarters) and the 61st Battalion defending on the top side and in the middle were They tried to hold the 40,000 Japanese western men from the American engineers the Japanese but couldn’t soldiers on Bougainville. 43rd Regiment. and when they were
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WORKING TOGETHER: At Salamua near Milne Bay to show the typical conditions our soldiers experienced in New Guinea. Pte L C Mahon of 2/3 Independent Company is ready for a commando assault. PHOTO: DAMIEN PARER/COURTESY OF AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
EERIE MEMORIAL: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery. Photographs from Peter Moore Collection taken during his time at Milne Bay.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
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SPECIAL FEATURE - BATTLE OF MILNE BAY
BATTLE OF MILNE BAY
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Born in 1914, John Alexander ‘Jack’ French was the first Crows Nest resident to enlist in 1939. He was assigned to the 2/9th Battalion which took him to the United Kingdom, the Middle East including Tobruk and Syria where he was promoted to Corporal. The 2/9th Battalion joined 7th Division which was brought back to Australia to fight the Japanese in New Guinea at Milne Bay. French was awarded the Victoria Cross — the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to the Commonwealth forces. The citation for French’s VC is as follows: “At Milne Bay New Guinea, on the afternoon of September 4, 1942, a company of Australian Infantry battalion attacked a Japanese position where it encountered terrific rifle and machine-gun fire. The advance of the section, of which Corporal French was in command, was held up by fire from three enemy machine-gun posts, whereupon Corporal French, ordering his section to take cover, advanced and silenced one of the posts with grenades. He returned to his section for more grenades and again advanced and silenced the second post. Armed with a Thompson sub-machine gun, he then attacked the third post, firing from the hip as he went forward. He was seen to be badly wounded by fire from this post, but he continued to advance. Enemy guns then ceased fire and his section pushed on to find that all the members of the three enemy gun crews had been killed, and that Corporal French had died in front of the third gun pit.” This non-commissioned officer saved members of his section from heavy casualties and was responsible for the successful conclusion of the attack. French was just 28-years-old. The library at Crows Nest is called the John French V.C. Memorial Library.
HARD WORK: Local villagers from the Milne Bay area. Photographs from collection of Lex Winten. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Medical Conditions Malaria: many men were so ill with fevers they just couldn’t continue in battle. Several died of the disease. Infections: A mere scratch in the tropics can quickly turn septic and be fatal within days, even today. Fungal infections and swelling of the feet: most men suffered terribly because their feet never properly dried. They couldn’t fit their boots and the infections ate into the flesh. Dysentery: food in the tropics can spoil quickly which resulted in a lot of food poisoning and gastroenteritis.
VICTORIA CROSS: Corporal J. A. French. John Alexander French. Born Crows Nest, 2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion Conflict. Second World War, 1939-1945. Killed in action at Milne Bay, PNG and awarded the Victoria Cross. He is buried in the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery. PHOTO: PETER MOORE COLLECTION
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On the night of September 5, 1942 a Japanese cruiser with two other ships came into Milne Bay and evacuated approximately 600 wounded Japanese. They came back the next few nights and evacuated all other Japanese that they could, but of course stragglers were left everywhere. There are two factors that could have determined a different outcome at Milne Bay. Firstly a missionary at KB Mission — Father John Bodger wrote that before the war a Milne Bay man had married a Buna girl and had gone to live in her village — he worked on a plantation there. After the Japanese has invaded all around Gona he was seized and forced to guide the Japanese into Milne Bay. The Japanese had intended to land at Gili Gili but this native, his name was Kanugule, had taken them to Waga Waga. This native was later found dead, dressed in a Japanese uniform and identified as Kanugule who had married before the war. Father Bodger wrote that he felt this native had intentionally taken the Japanese to the wrong landing place. He grew up in Milne Bay — he certainly knew where Gili Gili was. Secondly, 353 Japanese soldiers had been sent from Buna to be support for the Japanese at Milne Bay — they had been spotted coming down the coast by coast watchers who had radioed this information to headquarters. The Japanese were resting the night on Goodenough Island, when early next morning they were spotted by the 75th Squadron Kittyhawks who sank their seven barges, leaving the 353 soldiers stranded. Some were rescued by Japanese submarines but others were either taken prisoner or shot when the Australians were sent over to clean up the island. Most people know about Kokoda but if the Milne Bay airstrips had been lost to the Japanese most of us would not be here today. The Japanese would have quickly had their ships in the bay, their planes on the airstrips, and been quick to support to the Japanese soldiers already around Buna, Gona and on the Kokoda Track, and they would have quickly captured Port Moresby. With the defeat in the Coral Sea by the Americans and the Australians and the defeat at Milne Bay by the Australians and the Americans, is what saved Australia. History states that this was the first time in over 300 years that the Japanese Imperial Marines had been defeated on land and at the time of the surrender there were 90,000 Japanese soldiers and sailors at Rabaul (The Japanese Imperial Headquarters) and 40,000 Japanese soldiers on Bougainville. The Japanese didn’t have food, most were starving.
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SPECIAL FEATURE - BATTLE OF MILNE BAY
Time for a trim - F/O Fuller and Bruce Watson, 75 squadron. PHOTO: LEX WINTEN COLLECTION
Conversations - Mick Grace and J Pipa. PHOTO: LEX WINTEN COLLECTION
t Hall, Stirling, P/o Brown, Sg Smoko - From left; Sgt tson Ma F/L , fin son, Sgt Gif Sgt Gamble, P/O Wilkin CTION LLE CO EN NT WI LEX : PHOTO 75 Sqn.
No beards allowed - Bluey Wilkinson gets the job done. PHOTO: LEX WINTEN COLLECTION
Mates at Milne COLLECTION
Bay.
PHOTO:
LEX
WINTEN
Bruce Watson enjoys a quiet shower. PHOTO: LEX WINTEN COLLECTION
Under the shower at Milne Bay. PHOTO: PETER MOORE COLLECTION
Trucks at Milne Bay. PHOTO: PETER MOORE COLLECTION
Taking a break in the carpenters shop at Milne Bay.
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In “the office” at Milne Bay. PHOT O: LEX WINTEN COLLECTION
PHOTO:PETER MOORE COLECTION
SPECIAL FEATURE - BATTLE OF MILNE BAY
Hitting sixes at Milne Bay. PHOTO: LEX WINTEN COLLECTION
Bob Sterling.
PHOTO: LEX WINTEN COLLECTION
y. ng at Milne Ba enades for fishi N TIO EC LL CO N Using hand gr TE PHOTO: LEX WIN
Take-off - Haw keye Johnston WINTEN COLL . PHOTO: LEX ECTION
Atherton. PHOTO: Geoff WINTEN COLLECTION
LEX
Pilots at
Mates - Keith Gamble, Nat Gould, Bruce Watson. HOTO: LEX WINTEN COLLECTION
Mobile Cinema truck at Milne Bay. COLLECTION
Milne B
ay. PHO TO: LEX WINTE N
COLLEC TION
Bruce Ready for action TEN WIN LEX TO: PHO Watson. COLLECTION
PHOTO: PETER MOORE Rations store at Milne Bay.
PHOTO: PETER MOORE COLLECTION
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SPECIAL FEATURE - BATTLE OF MILNE BAY
TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR OLD BOY LED MILNE FORCE He served in the trenches on the Western Front THE young men of the 25 Battalion — known as earning a Military Cross and a Distinguished the Darling Downs Regiment — would have been Service Order at Villers-Bretonneux in 1918. proud to know that another Darling Downs local He earned a reputation for thoroughness and was guiding them through this terrible battle to competence and there was no one better under victory. crisis. The commander of ‘Milne Force’ during the Clowes arrived at Milne Bay to assume Battle of Milne Bay was one of Australia’s most command just four days ahead of the enemy. brilliant young leaders, Maj-Gen Cyril Clowes. The situation was complex as there were many Born in Warwick, he was a distinguished career air, sea and land options available to the soldier graduating with enemy. the first class of Duntroon In addition he was hampered by in 1911. constant rain, fog and mud so thick it He was also a reduced movement to a “dead crawl”. Toowoomba Grammar “His militia and A.I.F. infantry were well past student, or ‘old boy’. During his time at TGS “[When describing disciplined — their training, if not from 1908 to 1910, Cyril Maj-Gen Cyril Clowes] complete, was thorough; for the most they were capably, even superbly, Clowes clearly — intelligent, calm, and part, led,” Dr James said. demonstrated early somewhat reticent.” “... the victory at Milne Bay was leadership qualities. He was a school — senior historian at the celebrated in Australian newspapers by Australian War Memorial September 1 with MacArthur announcing prefect, captain of the Dr Karl James ‘that Australian combat troops were rugby first XV and a clearing the bay ably commanded by member of the school Maj–Gen Clowes’.” shooting team. The Australian Women’s Weekly ran a full-page His sporting prowess continued into adulthood story on the Clowes family. and senior historian at the Australian War Memorial In May 1943, Clowes was awarded the Dr Karl James described Clowes as “intelligent, Commander of the Order of the British Empire calm, and somewhat reticent”. (CBE) for his success. ‘Silent Cyril’, as he was known, was an Clowes retired from the Army as a Lt. Gen and outstanding sportsman. died in 1968. Lieutenant General Sir Sydney Rowell described His wife had predeceased him, but he was his Duntroon classmate as “one of the greatest survived by his daughter. players of ball games I have ever known”. He was buried with full military honours in Cyril Clowes’ distinguished military career began Melbourne. when he went ashore at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.
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RUGBY: Toowoomba Grammar School First XV team 1910. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED/COURTESY OF TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL
LOCAL HERO: Major-General Cyril Clowes, Commander of the Australian Forces in the Milne Bay area, photographed at Milne Bay shortly after the unsuccessful Japanese attack. Photo ID: AWM013337. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED/COURTESY OF AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
MEN IN ARMS: WW1 group portrait of Lieutenant Cyril Albert Clowes (left), his brother Lieutenant Norman Clowes (right) and Captain Eric Lacy Vowles (central) who was awarded the Military Cross. Photo ID: AWMP06234.002. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED/COURTESY OF AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
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SPECIAL FEATURE - BATTLE OF MILNE BAY
THE STORY OF FLT LT LEX WINTEN FROM ANGELLALA DOWNS, MORVEN 3 Squadron Egypt and 75 Squadron Milne Bay Despite his injuries Lex convinced the doctors LEX Winten sustained shocking injuries when he that he could still fly, and so he spent some time as parachuted out of a burning plane over Egypt at a flying instructor before heading to Horn Island off the start of WW2 but there was no way he was the tip of Queensland and then to Milne Bay to fly giving up then — he convinced the doctors to let Kittyhawks with 75 Squadron. him go back to the war and he was sent to Milne The Kittyhawks were vital to the allies’ success Bay. at Milne Bay. He was 25 — one of the older blokes in the Used to ‘strafe’ dense jungles battle. and Japanese camps, they Lex had been an exceptional inflicted terrible losses for the student at Toowoomba Prep School enemy. and then The Southport School. Mr Winten said the pilots At 16 he learned to fly a bi-plane at worked hard and took huge risks Toowoomba Aero Club and was every day. hooked. He talked a lot “The squadron’s beloved doctor He quickly progressed to a about the Bill Deane-Butcher said a lot of commercial pilot’s licence and his friendship, the the boys were terrified waiting to destiny was set — he just wanted to people and the take off, [and] it didn’t help fly. characters. We matters that they had malaria and He was working as a commercial dysentery too. pilot at the time World War Two broke loved his stories. “Dad’s flying log shows the out and he didn’t hesitate to join the — Son of Flt Lt Lex Winten, hours he spent during the Battle RAAF, who were grateful to have Shane Winten of Milne Bay and it shows how experienced pilots. hard they all worked. He was sent to Egypt and it was “He didn’t like to talk about the bad things or here that Lex became a member of an exclusive what he had to do and what he saw, but he did like group called ‘The Caterpillar Club’ for parachuting to talk about the good times they all had in the from his plane. camp. He had been shot in the stomach, arm and leg “He talked a lot about the friendship, the people with his plane on fire. and the characters. We loved his stories. We got to When he landed, his teeth and knees were know quite a few of his mates after the war too.” smashed. Described as charming, persuasive and good According to Lex’s son Shane, the situation natured, Lex was popular with his colleagues. seemed hopeless. But after the war he had trouble settling down to “He just lay there wondering how long it would life on the farm and although he didn’t often fly take to bleed to death when he heard English again because of his arm, he did race cars and voices and was relieved to know he had landed in even had a go at Bathurst. friendly territory,” Mr Winten said. Lex died in 1972 at the age of 58 as a result of He was treated in hospital before being sent the injuries he received in Egypt. home on leave.
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HIGH FLYER: Lex Winten looking exhausted returning from a mission in Milne Bay. Photograph from Lex Winten collection. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
MEN TOGETHER: From left; Roy Riddell, Nat Gould, Lex Winten at Milne Bay 1942. Photographs from collection of Lex Winten. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
CAPTURING TIME: Lex Winten's flight log from his time in Milne Bay. Photographs from collection of Lex Winten. PHOTO: BEV LACEY
The Executive, Staff and Volunteers of St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba remember with respect the men and women in the Australian Defence Force, who served and fought in the Battle of Milne Bay, as we reflect and commemorate their service and sacrifice and the lives lost.
Lest we forget Battle of Milne Bay 75th anniversary
25 August 1942 – 7 September 1942
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SPECIAL FEATURE - BATTLE OF MILNE BAY
MILNE BAY MILITARY MUSEUM
THE very map that captured weeks of Lt General Cyril Clowes’ undivided attention during the Battle of Milne Bay is currently located at the Milne Bay Military Museum. The map takes pride of place alongside a treasure trove of relics and war history memorabilia. But it’s the stories behind the artefacts that make the Milne Bay Military Museum such a valuable community resource and popular tourist attraction. The museum has been a place that holds memories, history and items for members and families of the 25th Battalion for many years. The museum also specialises in medal mounting. Mounting and remounting medals and offering a full range of replicas, both full size and miniatures. The $20,000 memorial to the 25th Battalion, who fought at Milne Bay, Bougainville and the Pacific stands in the front garden of the museum. The museum is currently closed as it undergoes a review for workplace, health and safety issues. Marian Jones explains that what was acceptable when the museum first opened is not acceptable today. “The land and building is owned by the Australian Defence Department so it has to comply
Battle of Milne Bay 1942 DVD The University of Southern Queensland has thrown its support behind a documentary about the Battle of Milne Bay. To coincide with the 75th Anniversary, USQ lecturer in film production and cinema studies Leonie Jones has edited her original 2006 documentary titled “Battle of Milne Bay 1942”. The new version which features new material and graphics will be available for purchase as a DVD from the Milne Bay Military Museum. Visit www.milnebaymilitarymuseum.com.
with current regulations,” she said. “We are looking forward to the refurbishment and reopening as soon as it is all signed off.” Call for volunteers: anyone with an interest in history is invited to join the museum’s close knit group of volunteers who are waiting with anticipation to resume duties at the museum in several months time. Please contact Marian Jones if you would like to help out.
WAR HISTORY: President of the Milne Bay Military Museum Marian Jones.
PHOTO: BEV LACEY
PAST TO PRESENT: Memorial to the 15th Battalion at the Milne Bay Military Museum. PHOTO: KRISTY HAYES
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SPECIAL FEATURE - BATTLE OF MILNE BAY
FAMILY TRIBUTES A MESSAGE FROM GREAT GRANDSON OF FLT LT LEX WINTEN
A NOTE FROM GRANDDAUGHTER OF PRIVATE CHARLIE LIESCH Kym Morrissey
Harry Mackenzie My great grandfather, Lex D’arcy Winten, served in the 75th Squadron at the Battle of Milne Bay. At the time, he was a Flight Lieutenant, only 29-years-old. It means a lot to me that I am a direct descendant of a soldier that fought in one of Australia’s most iconic and famous victories. If it wasn’t for those brave soldiers, I wouldn’t have had the wonderful childhood I had, or be studying at university — in fact, I wouldn’t be here at all. I’m 19-years-old, and I find it astonishing that a large majority of men and women that fought in the battle of Milne Bay, including my great grandfather were not much older than I am. When I try to compare what those young soldiers had to go through compared to my daily routine, its overwhelming — frankly, there is no comparison.
GENERATIONS ON: Great grandson of Flt Lt Lex Winten Harry Mackenzie. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED It wasn’t long ago I visited Lex’s grave, who rests in Charleville alongside his wife. On his grave there is a plaque which reads ‘Squadron Leader L D’A WINTEN Royal Australian Air Force’. Next to it, there is an Australian Air Force badge. Conclusively, I’m both proud and honoured to say that my great grandfather forged history back in 1942, and contributed immensely to shaping our beautiful country to what it is today.
BATTLE OF MILNE BAY -
I am very proud to say that my grandfather, Private Charlie Liesch (QX55929), answered the call to fight alongside his Toowoomba and Darling Downs mates in the 25th Battalion. In conditions I can’t even begin to imagine, they fought a formidable enemy in the Battle of Milne Bay which — against all odds — this band of brothers overwhelmed. To know that my grandfather was a part of the first decisive defeat of Japanese land forces in World War Two gives me an enormous sense of pride in the man I knew and loved — my poppy.
LOCAL SERVICEMAN: Private Charlie Liesch. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
REMEMBERING FAMILY: Private Charlie Liesch was dearly loved by many. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
75 Anniversary th
The Battle of Milne Bay Ceremony This Sunday, 20th August 2017, at 10.30 am Mothers’ Memorial All Welcome
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